The Stroller, March 31, 2023: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Free prom gowns available April 1 at Arnold church

Real Life Church, Arnold, will host a prom dress give-away from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 1 at the church, 1825 Freeport Road.

Gently used dresses and accessories can be donated for the event by calling Tammy Jeffers at 724-980-7699 or the church office at 724-337-3889.

Spaghetti dinner to benefit Elizabeth Forward, Apollo-Ridge bands

The Apollo-Ridge Marching Band will host a spaghetti dinner from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Apollo Hose Company No. 3, 707 N. Fifth St., Apollo.

The menu includes pasta, salad, dessert and drink. Cost is $10 and $8 for children 12 and younger, dine in or takeout. There will be a basket raffle and 50/50.

Half of the proceeds will be donated to the Elizabeth Forward High School Marching Band that lost their equipment in a fire at the high school.

Donations welcome for Easter meals, treats

Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank is accepting donations that will be used to create specially prepared treat bags with a gift card to be used for the purchase of an Easter meal for our neighbors in need.

Each basket costs $15. Checks made out to AVAC Food Bank can be sent to AVAC, 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights PA 15065. Donations will be acknowledged.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: St. James Church, 109 Owens View Ave., will have Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. at the church. Public welcome.

Saturday: Apollo Area Historical Society Museum, 317 N. Second St., will reopen for the season. Details: 724-478-2849 or 724-212-9255.

Arnold

Saturday: Homemade doughnuts will be sold from 6 to 10 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Cost: $8 per dozen. Orders: 724-335-0101.

Saturday: Arnold United Methodist Church, 1801 Leishman Ave., will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the church. Menu: choice of plain, blueberry, pecan and chocolate chip pancakes or French toast, sausage and drink. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $8; 12 and younger, $6.Details: 724-339-2377.

April 8: St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church is selling paska bread in cooperation with Fazio’s Pizza and Italian Foods as a fundraiser. Cost: $7.25 per loaf, with or without raisins. Order deadline is Sunday. Pickup: April 8 in the church hall, 1610 Kenneth Ave. Orders: call or text 724-681-3383. Your call or text must be returned for the order to be verified.

Avonmore

April 22: A bingo to benefit the Avonmore Senior Center will begin at 1 p.m. at the center, 458 Railroad Ave. Doors open at 11 a.m. and free coffee and doughnuts will be served before the games start. An early bird jackpot game will be at 12:45 p.m. There will be a 50/50, door prize, 14 regular games, five specials and a $300 last jackpot game. Cost: $20 before April 21; $25 at the door, cash only. Tickets: 724-697-4014.

Bethel

April 15: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will a free children’s program, “Very Hungry Caterpillar Day,” from noon to 3 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. There will be nature activities, Very Hungry Caterpillar photo ops, book readings, snacks and prizes. Reservations required: Reservations: armstrongodc.org.

Buffalo Township  

Monday : Buffalo Elementary School PTO is conducting a Sarris candy sale through April 3. Orders: sarriscandiesfundraising.com and enter group code 10-1588.

Monday: An American Red Cross community blood drive will be from 1 to 6 p.m. in the cultural hall of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 817 S. Pike Road. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and click on the Schedule Now or New Donor buttons. Search with zip code 16055.

April 11, 18 and 25: The Buffalo Creek Coalition will offer three online educational workshops from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 11, 18 and 25. Topics include: April 11, “Preventing the Spread of Invasive Plants in Woodlands,” April 18, “Forested Landowner Resources and Private Landowner Assistance Program,” and April 25, “What is a Healthy Stream?” Residents of the Buffalo Creek Watershed will receive a free tree per workshop thanks to support from Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership. Participate in all three workshops to receive three free trees from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29 or 30 at Buffalo Creek Nature Park, 154 Monroe Road. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-295-3589 or aswp.org.

East Vandergrift

April 23: A designer purse bash will be from 1 to 4 p.m. in the parish hall of Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church, 411 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Winners need not be present. Cost: $30, includes five chances in the drawings, wine, soft drinks, light snacks and desserts. BYOB. Must be at least 21 to attend. There will be a basket auction, strip tickets and 50/50. Tickets: call or text Mary Ann at 724-980-2087, at the parish office or after the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass.

Frazer 

Saturday : The New Kensington Camera Club and Focus on the Arts Gallery will offer a free workshop, “Lightbox Photography,” from 1 to 4 p.m. in suite 208 at Pittsburgh Mills Mall. Use Entry 2 by M@C Discount. Andy Benton will be the instructor. Bring your camera or smartphone. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. Reservations: comment on the event posting at Focus On The Arts Gallery on Facebook.

Harmar 

Wednesday : Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon with Pennsylvania Sen. Lindsey Williams from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Futules’ Harmar House, 1321 Freeport Road. Cost: $35; chamber members, $30. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-224-3400, allekiskistrong.com or lynda@akstrong.com.

Harrison

Today: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be specials, a 50/50 raffle and final game jackpot.

Kiski Township 

Saturday: A chicken and biscuit dinner will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at Spring Church Lutheran Church, 3623 Lutheran Church Road. Dine in or takeout. Menu: chicken and a biscuit, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw and dessert. Cost: $10; 6 to 12, $5; 5 and younger, free. The facility is wheelchair accessible. Details and orders: 724-478-1528.

April 15: A Night at the Races to benefit the Apollo-Ridge Baseball and Softball Boosters will be at 6 p.m. at the Apollo Spring Church Sportsman’s Club, Route 56. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $20, includes dinner, water and pop. There will be strip tickets, a basket raffle and 50/50. Tickets: Jeff, 724-596-6218, or Erin, 724-454-7325.

Leechburg

Today: Leechburg Public Library will offer a program, “Music, Movement and Stories,” for children 2 years old and younger and their caregiver, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the library, 139 Market St.

Today: The Leechburg Ministerial Association will host a Lenten lunch at 11:45 a.m. in the social hall of Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church, 251 Main St. Donations will be accepted.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the G6 band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Sunday: A free movie night will be at 6 p.m. at Trinity United Christian Church, 3400 Garvers Ferry Road. The featured film will be, “Risen,” rated PG.

April 8: Bethel Masons, 118 Allen St., will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lodge banquet room. Appointments recommended. Appointments: Sharon, 412-600-4333 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and use group code C2210076.

Oct. 22: New Kensington Moose is accepting table reservations for a fall craft and vendor show planned for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the lodge, 499 Reimer St. Spaces limited to one representative from each company on a first come, first served basis. Cost: $25 for an 8-foot table; $20 for a 6-foot table. Reservation deadline is Sept. 1. Reservations: text 724-448-2506 or mooselodge053@gmail.com.

New Kensington 

May 13: Vendor applications are being accepted by Knead Community Café for an outdoor May Market at the café, 1011 Barnes St. Vendors who sell homemade, natural-based or garden-themed products welcome. Rain or shine. Details: Kathy, 878-999-8680 or kneadcommunitycafe.org/mothernaturesmarket.

Parks

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.

Saxonburg

Saturday: A spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be from 4 to 8 p.m. at Saxonburg Memorial Church, 100 W. Main St. Menu: spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, drink and dessert; $15; 10 and younger, $12. There will be a basket auction. Proceeds will benefit the Foster Family who lost their home Feb. 27 in a house fire. Details: 724-309-9391.

Tarentum 

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220.

Sunday and Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. An opportunity for silent prayer will be at 6:30 p.m.

April 6: Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum and History Center is accepting table reservations for an evening of scrap booking planned from 6 to 8 p.m. at the museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave. Donations will be accepted. Bring your own supplies. Soft drinks, coffee and treats will be sold. Reservations: 724-224-7666 and leave a message.

Vandergrift  

Today : Vandergrift Public Library is raffling a quilt made and donated by library patron Jane Strohm to benefit the library. Cost: $1 each; $5 for 10; and $10 for 25 tickets. The drawing will be Friday. Cash, check or PayPal accepted. Details and a photo of the quilt: Vandergriftpubliclibrary.org. Tickets: stop in at the library, 128C Washington Ave.

Today: Kiski Area Association of Churches will host Lenten lunches from noon to 1 p.m. Fridays through April 7 at Vandergrift Presbyterian Church, 195 Washington Ave. There will be a short devotional message by a local pastor and a presentation by a representative from a different agency and ministry that serves the community. Lunch of soup and sandwiches will be served afterward. Donations will be accepted to benefit the association’s ministries. No reservations required.

April 22: St. Gertrude Parish Men’s Club is selling tickets for a night at the races set for 6 p.m. in the church hall, 303 Franklin Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $20, includes food, beverages and a horse. Tickets: 724-568-2331.

Washington Township

Today: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. The kitchen will be open. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.

Saturday through May 1: A fishing area for children 12 and younger only is available on Pine Run in Kunkle Park. Sponsored by the Washington-Bell Lions Club. Thanks to Black Leggs Trout Nursery for supplying the fish. Details: 724-727-3515.

West Deer

Saturday: A pancake and sausage breakfast will be from 6:30 to 11 a.m. at Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church, 224 Tarentum Culmerville Road. Menu: pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice and milk. Donations accepted. Dine in or takeout.